Growing Pains

Regardless of the mode of transportation, more often than not, I travel alone. There is a freedom, and a respite for leaving society at the wayside and venturing out on ones own.

Because after a period of time, society, and members of "society" can drive one batty.

In my 31 years on planet earth, I've met a few people. A few hundred people. Especially traveling, more specifically those individuals that click with you. Like Kara. Easy example. Like Judd, like Todd in Rome, or Liz in New Orleans, Barbie in California. The French dude on the train. The list could go on.

I have to laugh. Talked to someone on-line yesterday, and I described Kara leaving me, as an IT. Like it was an object, an alien, a noun.

The catcher in the rye. Trying to save everyone from leaping off the cliff, and not saving yourself. A theory I held, untill recently, as Bible. I thought I was responsible in keeping in contact with everyone I had met. That was my "assumed" mission in life. An impossible and bizzare goal, but one I had stock in.

Yes, there are those individuals who will always be in ones life, regardless of other events or factors. Then there are those individuals who leave. Some sooner than others, each in his or her time.

As organisims, we human beings, grow. Both physically, and mentally. We have the ability to change, to mold ourselves. And yes, sometimes, more often than not-people grow apart. Humans die, we relocate to other parts of the planet, self-absorption, soccer practice, and other obligations.

Or maybe, just maybe, as a free thinker, there comes a point or realization, that the purpose of said people, or persons who came into our lives at that specific time, is completed. There was a reason, and the conclusion is over. Time to move on, to grow.

As human beings, each of us enter the world alone, and die alone. And although there are passangers along the way...we walk alone....

Merry Easter

I floated last night.

To the Medical Neuro Stroke Unit. Which isn't that bad of a place to work, since they are our "sister" unit, and I know most if not all of the workers. The pt population isn't that bad either.

I find it to be a dis-service that the evening nurse, whom I took over for, failed to check any type of vital signs on the comfort care patient who was busy packing her bags for an early "discharge". Not that blood pressure would tell you much, but a nice PSO2 level, gives one an idea on how soon before she leaves.

Hers was 61%.

OF course I gave 2mg of Morphine IV, and turned the patient.

Any experienced nurse will tell you, that those mere actions speed up the process.

Contrary to MN law, I pronounced her at 2105.

Her son: kept watch, asked questions, and fed his face with 2 hamburgers from the local restraunt. After she "left", he was busy trying to plan a funeral, as to not distrupt family travel plans on Wednesday. I found it to be disrespectful. Maybe its just me.

Oh the places you'll go

I'm looking into refinancing the bungalow, since my 5 year ARM matures next year.

My father asked the question(s): Do I think I'll stay in Rochester for less than 10 years, or more than ten years.

In leiu of 2007, admid numerous conversations with individuals, and slight soul-searching on my part, I have contrived an answer.

Although a yes or no answer isn't as simple, nor is a complicated one.

The future, is exactly what it is: the future, and I am not in a position to predict anything regarding myself in that type of context. If the past is any inclination, the future is up for grabs.

I arrived in July of 2000 after completing my bachelors in Nursing from Clarke College. Relocated from Dubuque, IA. I didn't know anyone in the Rochester, Area. I came alone.

Eight years later, I'm still in Rochester, MN, a happy house owner, who knows many people within the community (and outside the community), with a stable well-paying job, and a close support group of family and friends. I've taken root.

And I've thought of relocating. I've thought about many things. I don't know where I would go. There is no gravitational pull one way or another. Sure exotic locations and travel assignments have been tossed around, examined, feasability looked into.

There is a BIG difference between: NEEDING to relocate, WANTING to relocate, and relocating.

Needing, wanting aside, I have no desire to relocate. Period. And why would I?

Sure there is life outside your apartment, the grass could be greener on the other side, and there is something to be said, by sowing where your seeds were planted.

I work three days aweek, night shifts, on a unit that I am comfortable, and know the doctors. I have have shelter that I enjoy, a phat cat that keeps me company, and I get laid on a regular basis (semi-regular). My basic survial needs are met.

There is an international airport 20 purse throws from my front door, and a major international airport an hours drive.

Sure Rochester isn't perfect. Rochester isn't "heaven" in the Christianity sense of the word, nor is anywhere else for that matter.

Uprooting an established younge but rooted tree is difficult. And I am fine where I am.